Adjustable arch



June 1e, 1936. 1A. HKANQ 2,044,751

ADJUSTABLE ARCH Filed Jan. 24, 1935 IN VEN TOR.

EJ- E 415/ @M40/MM,

' 5 yrm ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 16, 1936 UNITv STATES g giunti .AT-NT 19 Claims.

This invention is an adjustable arch support for the foot. One of theimportant features of the invention is that the arch support supportsnot only the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot but also supportsthe metatarsal arch, that is, the arch under the ball of the foot.

Another important feature of the invention is that the arch support islongitudinally adjustable; coupled with the longitudinal adjustmentfeature, the arch support is variable in height. More specifically, andin the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arch support has anormal or intermediate position and in that position, forms an arch ofaverage height. Then when the arch support is made either longer orshorter it forms an arch support in either position which is a littlehigher than the arch formed in the normal or intermediate position. Inother words, the arch support of this invention provides a support whichis of average height and length but which can be contracted to make ashorter and higher arch or can be expanded to make a longer and higherarch, depending upon the particular attributes and foot conditions ofthe person who is using the arch support.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the arch support comprisesa channeled member and a tongue member which are slidable longitudinallywith respect to each other. Suitable means are provided for holdingor'securing these two members in any desired adjusted position,depending on the length desired for the arch.

One of the particularly important features of the invention is that oneof the above mentioned longitudinal members, such as the tongue member,terminates in a widened bearing member which is curved on top and may besaid to be ovular in shape which bearing member ts under the metatarsalarch and supports it.

Another important feature of the invention is that it can be readilybuilt into the shoe when the shoe is made and yet is accessible to thewearer of the shoe at any time for adjusting both the length and heightof the arch support. To this end, the inner sole of the shoe may beprovided with a ap which may be lifted up and access thus given to theadjusting and locking means for varying the length and height of thearch support. The arch support of this invention is applicable to alltypes of shoes, for men, women and children. It is preferably made ofmetal of a character to furnish the necessary strength.

The main features of the invention having been thus outlined referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawing illustrating the sev waysof carrying out the invention.

Referring now tothis drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the arch support in itsl normal orintermediatel position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. 1 with the arch support in acontracted position;

Fig. 4 is a similar side view with the arch support in an extendedposition;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view 'through a rshoe showing the archsupport in place therein;

Fig. 6 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on the line i-t of Fig.2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of a A15 modified form of securingmeans;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 3--8 of Fig. 7;

Figs. 9 and 10 are plan and longitudinal sectional views of amodification, Fig. 10 being taken on the line iii- HJ of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawing in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts, the arch support comprises an arched channeledmember 2 having a bottom wall 3, side walls 4 and a plurality of crosspieces t.. The inner or right vhand end of the channeled member is openand the forward edges of the walls d terminate in upwardly inclined camsurfaces da for a purpose that will appear. The channeled memberterminates at its outer or left hand end in a nattened portion t.

The othermember of the arch support, which may conveniently be termed atongue member it, is also suitably arched or curved and is adapted toslide longitudinally within the channeled member 2 in between the bottomwall 3 and the cross pieces 5. The curvature or arch of the tongue it issuch as to form with the channeled member 2 an arch support of averageheight A, 4,0 Fig. 1, and of average length.

. The member Il) is provided at its outer end with a widened, ovularbearing member i2,` rounded on top. Member i2 is provided with inclinedcam shoulders or surfaces It for engage- 45 ment by and with the camsurfaces fila on the channeled member.

As mentioned, Fig. 1 shows the arch support in normal position with thearch support of height A. In order to form a shorter and higher so archsupport the channeled and tongue members are moved toward each other afraction of an inch, which will cause the cam surfaces ea to slide upthe inclined shoulders I4, to form a higher and shorter arch support asshown in t5 Fig. 3, having a height B which is a little higher thanheightA.

In order to form a longer and higher arch support than in Fig. 1, thechanneled and tongue members aremoved to the extended position shown inFig. 4 and the curvature of the tongue I0 is such when the two membersare moved to this extended position, there is formed an arch of theheight C, which is greater than the height A.

The arch support is therefore capable of .assuming extended orcontracted positions, which are respectively longer and shorter than thenormal average position; the height of the arch in the extended orcontracted position is a little greater than the height in the normal orintermediate position.

One of the important features of the invention is the ovular thickenedportion I2, which is adapted to fit under the ball of the foot and tosupport the metatarsal arch. The arch support being capable of assumingat least three different longitudinal positions, it will be apparentthat by' suitable adjustment the member I2 can be placed in just theright position for proper support of the metatarsal arch. Member I2 isrounded or concave on top, so as to fit comfortably under the ball ofthe foot, and to support the metatarsal arch at just the right place.This member I2 is of substantial thickness vertically so that it williit under and give a denite support to. the metatarsal arch.

Suitable means are provided f`or locking or securing the two archforming members in various adjusted longitudinal positions. While threedifferent longitudinal positions have been described above, it will beapparent that any suitable number of different longitudinal positionscan be provided for by the longitudinal adjustments which will nowl bedescribed. By virtue of the longitudinal adjustment with consequentchange of the height of the arch, the arch support of this invention canbe used for all types of feet.

The longitudinal adjustment and locking of the Y two arch formingmembers can be effected in various ways. One way is shown in Figs. 2 and8, where the inner or left hand end of the tongue member I0 is providedon its under surface with transverse corrugations or serrations I6 whichare adapted to engage and interlock with similar transverse cooperatingserrations or corrugations I6 on the top side of the bottom wall 3. Aset screw I8 is threaded into the bottom wall 3 and passes through Aalongitudinal slot I9 in the tongue I0. 'I'he set screw I8 is providedwith a head 20 which bears down on the top of member I0. The head 20 maybe provided with a usual slot 2| and also with a pivoted wire or bailmember 22 which may be lifted to the -vertical position for turning theset screw and then laid back horizontally when not in use. It will beapparent that when the set screw I 8 is loosened the serrations I6 and I6 can be disengaged and the member I il may be moved longitudinally withrespect to the channeled member to al, suitable adjusted position. Thenthe set screw'iis tightcned up causing the serrations to lock andtherefore to hold the members in the adjusted position.

Another type of longitudinal adjustment is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, wherethe left hand end Ib of the member I 0a is provided with a plurality ofholes 24, while the bottom wall 3a of the channeled member 2a may beprovided with one or more holes 25. Channeled member 2a is provided withside walls 4b and an end portion foot, with the ovular bearing member I2in position for supporting the metatarsal arch. The arch support isunder the inner'sole 32 and the inner sole is cut through as shown inthe dotted lines 34, Fig. 2, for example, for forming a flap, l5'

closure or cover 34a which can be lifted up and giving access to thelongitudinal adjusting device.

That is to say, theuser can at any time lift up the ap, vary the lengthand also the height of the arch by moving the two members 2 and I0longitudinally and locking them in their new position, as described.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modification in which similar primed referencecharacters indicate corresponding parts. This form of invention diiers25 from the others in that the bottom of the channeled member is struckinwardly to provide openings 35 through which the member I0' passes andto provide a bridge member 36 extending transversely across between thewalls I' and against 30 which the upper surface of the member I0 bears.Integral with the bridge member 36 is a pair of spring elements 38,formed from the metal struck from the bottom Wall, which springs areadapted to bear against the upper surface of the tongue member I 0 forproviding a frictional contact so that the two members will not slidetoo easily. 'I'he two members may be locked in adjusted longitudinalposition by any suitable means, for example, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 or8.

While the invention has been described in some detail, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the precise details hereshown but may be carried out in other ways as falling within the scopeo1 the claims.

I claim as my invention: y

1. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into theshoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member,an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable within said channeledmember, said members normally forming an arch of average-height, saidmembers being cooperatively curved so that when they are moved away fromeach other to make a longer arch they also form an arch higher than saidarch of average height, and means for holding said members in diierentadjusted longitudinal positions, the insole of the shoe being providedwith closure means for permitting access to and manual operation of saidholding means.

2. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combinationtwo arched and telescopically slidable members, said members beingprovided with means for increasing the height of the arch when saidmembers are moved toward each other longitudinally, and means forholding the two said members in one of several adjusted longitudinalpositions.

3. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combinationtwo arch-forming members slidable longitudinally with respect to eachother, said members being provided with cooperating elements for varyingthe height of the arch as the two members are moved longitudinally.

4. An adjustable arch support for the toot.

comprising in combination two arch-forming members slidablelongitudinally with respect to each other, said membersbeing providedwith cooperating elements'ior varying the height of the arch as `the twomembers are moved longitudinally, and means for holding the two saidmembers in a desired adjusted longitudinal position.

5. An adjustable arch support for the foot, coinprising :in combinationtwo arch-forming mem.- bers slidable longitudinally with respect to eachother, and forming when in an intermediate position, anlarch support ofaverage height, and cooperating means carried by the two said membersfor forming an arch of a diierentheight from the saidaverage heightarch, when'the two archforming members are moved longitudinally ineither direction.

6. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combinationtwo arch-fo o lf. members slidable longitudinally with respect o eachother, and forming, when in an intermediate position, an arch support ofaverage height, and cooperating means carried by the two said membersfor forming an arch of a dierent height from the said average heightarch, when the two archforming members are moved longitudinally ineither direction, and means for holding the two arch-forming members ina plurality of positions.

1. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combinationtwo arch-forming members slidable longitudinally with respect to eachother, and forming when in an intermediate position, an archsupport oiaverage height and cooperating cam means, carried by said arch-formingmembers, for raising said members when said members aramoved closertogether to iorm an arch higher than the arch formed in the intermediateposition. v

8. ln combination with a shoe, an adiustable arch support built into theshoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member,an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable in the channeled member,means for holding said two members in a plurality of @liderentlongitudinal positions, said arched members being curved so that theyform arch supports ci diiierent heights when in ditierent longitudinalpositions, the shoe ybeing provided with cover means for permittingaccess to and manual operation of said holding means.

9. in adjustable arch support for the loot, comprising in combination anarched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudinally slidablein the channeled member, and cooperating cam means carried by saidmembers ior causing said arched members to form arch supports oidiherent heights, depending upon the relative longitudinal position ofthe two said arched members.

10. an adjustable arch support for the loot, comprising in combinationan arched channeled membenan arched tongue member lotudinally slidablein the channeled member, cocperat cam means carried by said members forcamine said arched member to form arch supports oi diderent heights,depending upon the relative longitudinal position ol the two `saidarched members, and means for securing the two said members in thedesired adjusted position.

1l. In combination with a. shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeledmember, an arched .tongue member lotudinally slidable in the channeledmember, said two members forming an arch for supporting the longitudinalarch or instep of the foot, said two arched members normally forming, inan intermediate position, an arch of 4average height for supporting thelongitudinal arch or instep of the foot; said arched members beingcooperatively curved so that' when they are moved apart longitudinallythey form an arch higher than the said intermediate arch of averageheight, the insole oi. the shoe being provided with closure means forpermitting access to and manual movement of one of said arched members.

l2. An adjustable arch support for the foot,

comprising in combination an archedchanneled member, an arched tonguemember longitudinally slidable in the channeled member, said two membersforming an arch for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep oi thefoot, said two arched members normally forming, an arch of averageheight for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot;cooperating means carried by said arched members and operable when thetwo arched members are moved toward one another, to form an arch higherthan the said arch oi average height, and shorter than said arch ofaverage height, and means for holding said arched members in a pluralityof adjusted longitudinal positions.

i3. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combinationan arched channeled member and an arched tongue member longitudinallyslidable in the channeled member, said two members being provided withcooperating elements for forming arches of diderent heights when indifferent longitudinal positions for supporting the longitudinal arch orinstep of the foot; the outer end oi one ci said members terminating ina widened ovular bearing which is oi substantial thickness verticallyand is placed under and supports the metatarsal arch.

ldhn adjustable arch support i'or the toot, comprising in combination anarched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudif.

nelly slidable in the channeled member, said two members being providedwith cooperating elements for forming arches oi diherent heights when indifferent longitudinal positions for supporting the longitudinal arch or'instep ot the loot; the outer end oi one of said members terminating ina widened ovuler bearing which is oi' substantial thickness verticallyand is placed under and supports the metatarsal arch, and means torsecuring said two arched members in a desired 'adjusted position.

lli. in combination with ar shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeledmember and an arched tongue member longitually slidable in the channeledmember, said two members forming an arch for supporting the longitudinalarch or instep ci the ioot, said two arched members normally forming, inan intermediate position, an arch oi average height for supporting thelongitudinal arch or instep ot the loot; said arched members beingcooper atively .curved so that when they are moved apart longitudinallythey form an arch higher than the said arch of average height, andlonger than said intermediate arch of average height, the outer endofthe tongue member terminating in a widened ovular bearing which isplaced unthe insole oi theshoe provided with closure means forpermitting 'access to and manual adjustment of the height of the arch.

16. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch forming and archsupporting members for forming an arch support variable in length, saidarch forming and arch supporting members being provided with cooperatingelements for causing the height of the arch to vary in accord with therelative longitudinal placement of the arch forming members.

17. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch forming and archsupporting members for forming an arch support variable in length, saidarch forming and arch supporting members being-provided with cooperatingelements for causing the height of the arch to vary in accord with therelative longitudinal placement of the arch forming members, the insoleof the shoe being provided with a means for giving access to the archsupport for adjusting it.

18. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch ri'orming andarch supporting members for forming an arch support variable in length,said arch forming and arch supporting members being provided withcooperating elements for causing the height of the arch to vary inaccord with the relative longitudinal placement of the arch formingmembers, one of said arch forming and arch supporting membersterminating, at its forward and outer end, in a widened ovular bearingadapted to be placed under and to support the metatarsal arch of thefoot.

19. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built intothe shoe and comprising relatively slidable '.arch-forming members forforming arches of different heights, one of said members being providedwith a widened ovular bearing of substantial thickness vertically whichrests under and supports the metatarsal arch of the foot, said membersbeing provided with cooperating adjusting means for holding them indiierent adjusted longitudinal positions, the insole of the shoe beingprovided with flap means to permit access to said adjusting means.

JAMES A. FIKANY.

